A lot of people are not aware of the fact that there is a Black presence in Catholic churches,” says Father Kenneth Taylor, director of multicultural ministries at the archdiocese of Indianapolis and pastor of Holy Angels Catholic Church. “We’ve been a part of the church for quite some time.”
The National Black Catholic Congress (NBCC) hopes to bring this awareness to the forefront during its convention July 19-21 at the JW Marriot Downtown.
Black Catholics from all over the world will gather to celebrate 25 years of “What We Have Seen and Heard,” implementing the theme: Faith Engaged: Empower. Equip. Evangelize.
The mission of the NBCC is to establish an agenda for the evangelization of African-Americans; and to improve the spiritual, mental and physical conditions of African-Americans. The organization commits to the freedom and growth of Blacks as full participants in church and society.
Taylor said the overall purpose of the congress is to acknowledge issues that concern the Black Catholic community. As a result, it strengthens church involvement as the congregation works to eliminate those concerns.
“Within the Catholic community, African-Americans are a small percentage,” he says. “It’s easy for our issues to get lost in the larger scheme of things. The country is facing a predicament in which the numbers of priests, bishops and sisters are down. If people are not engaged in the life of church, we could very well start losing our churches. The congress will hopefully help us become more involved.”
This national congress only occurs every five years and according to executive director of the NBCC, Valerie Washington, it’s a dream come true for Indianapolis to be the host city.
“It is a joy to work with the people of Indy. Indianapolis was chosen as the host site because we have convened several events there in the past, and we appreciate the friendliness, commitment and dedication of the people who have worked with us over the years,” said Washington.
Taylor says this is a unique opportunity for cultures all around the world to gather to celebrate their faith as one.
“This will give our local Black community the opportunity to be exposed to the Black Catholics around the nation,” Taylor adds. “This is a wonderful opportunity to see what is happening from coast to coast.”
Valerie agrees that the NBCC will be beneficial for the entire community.
“We expect great blessings for those who attend the congress in Indy,” Washington said.
Did you know?
Daniel Rudd, born on Aug. 7, 1854, was the founder of the National Black Catholic Congress. Both of his parents were Catholic and slaves. After the Civil War, Rudd moved to Springfield, Ohio, in order to get a secondary-school education. There in 1886 he began a Black newspaper, which was called the Ohio State Tribune.
That same year, Rudd changed the focus of this weekly newspaper and gave it a new name, American Catholic Tribune, the only Catholic journal owned and published by Black men. The National Black Catholic Congress currently publishes the newsletter known as the African-American Catholic Tribune newsletter.
In 1889, Rudd called together the first National Black Catholic Congress. The meeting was held at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Washington D.C., and men from all over the United States participated in this historic event. Rudd orchestrated five Black Congresses in his time.
